Owl Be Darned

OK, you're probaby sick of the owl puns by now. Though not of owl-inspired clothing like this gorgeous Owl See Jumper from Chasing Fireflies (an amazing site I have just discovered- everything there is pure perfection). The jumper is made of velvety cotton corduroy and features inverted pleats and hidden shoulder snaps for easy dressing. A perfect school outfit for Fall! Sizes 2 through 8, $84 at Chasing Fireflies.

Perfect Patemm Pad

Thanks to MyMomShops reader J (mom of C.) from Bayside, New York who e-mailed me to rave about her Patemm Changing Pad. This award-winning piece of baby gear is something I oddly never purchased (or received) but I wish I had. The mom-invented, patented Patemm Pad is a generously-sized, round changing pad that will accommodate the squirmiest infant. It has pockets and a handle and folds up conveniently, making it a quick, quasi-diaper bag when you're on the go. There are lots of colors and patterns available at Patemm's own site costing up to $48, or you can snag one of 3 solid colors (blue, pink, and green) at Tar-jay for just $29.99. Great shower gift!

Are there any baby items (or gifts) that you simply RAVE about and buy for others? Post them in the comments section- I'd like to hear about them.

Vera Bradley Stationery

Vera Bradley, the designer you probably know best for those lovely quilted handbags, also makes some very pretty stationery and desk accessories. If your desk could use a little sprucing up, treat yourself to these! Top to bottom: composition book ($12), file folders ($16), and pencil set ($11), all at VeraBradley.com.

MyMomShops Sponsor: B-Cozy Blankets

Our sponsor B-Cozy Blankets is best known for their luxurious fleece baby blankets (I have received and given them as baby gifts and wrote about them here), but they have also introduced a line of beautiful children's pillows. They come in 2 sizes- 10" or 14" squares- and cost $28. The adorable designs coordinate with B-Cozy's blankets (baby, toddler, and kid versions), ranging from pirates to puppies to princesses. Visit B-Cozy Blankets.

Chalk O Dile

There are so many cool options for peel-and-stick wall decorations these days; I especially like ones you can decorate with chalk, like this cute Chalk-O-Dile Decorating Kit by Wall Candy Arts. Kids will have a blast arranging and decorating with the 2 crocodiles and 4 talking bubbles (chalk included), and if you don't like the finished product, you can, ahem, "edit" their work. $48 at Spunky Sprout.

Zutano Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to "Sophia's Mama" (Susan from Florida) who wrote, "I LOVE LOVE LOVE these clothes! I would love to do some Fall shopping." Susan, please e-mail me with your name and address to claim your prize, a $125 shopping spree at Zutano.com.

Thanks to the 100+ readers who entered our most popular contest so far! And stay tuned for more giveaways starting this Monday!

Gettin' Twiggy With It

Love the organic style of this Twig Bowl ($69) that's new at Pottery Barn. It's made of aluminum with a bronze finish and looks heavenly when filled with the season's delights- pumpkins, gourds, what have you...Check out this and other seasonal wares at Pottery Barn.

p.s. Whoops, it's sold out already. Hope you enjoyed seeing it anyway.

Anamalz Farm

Check out these new Australian-designed bendable Anamalz toys. These animals are sure to delight your little ones, and you'll be pleased to know that they're made from all-natural maple wood and cloth fibers, as well as non-toxic glues and paints. They cost just $5.99 each so you can create your own little farm; visit all the Anamalz cuties at Oompa.com.

My Gift Basket Quest

I am always in search of "perfect" baby gift baskets that contain just the right amount of high-quality, attractive-yet-practical items. I think this Gifts in a Bin: Boy would delight any new parent. Packaged in a cheerful hand-painted wooden bin that can be re-used, the set includes a onesie from my fave designer Tea Collection (0-3 mos or 3-6mos), cute knitted booties, and a charming 4" x 6" photo frame for baby's first snapshot. A girls' version is available, too. $62 at My Sweet Muffin.

There's Still Time!

Just a reminder that you have until 11:59pm EST tomorrow (Thursday, September 27th) to enter our fantastic Zutano $125 shopping spree giveaway. Scroll down to the original post or click here to access it to enter. Good luck!

Tech It Out

I am loving these Kit N Kin baby tees from Freddy Says, a UK baby clothes shop that ships overseas (you'll pay a pretty penny, though). All of them are available in different versions (onesies, short sleeve tees, long sleeve tees,etc.) and you can choose whichever background color you'd like. Pretty nifty. Best of all, check out the fun graphics (love the "volume control", 3rd from top):





p.s. According to Blogger, this is my 500th post since starting MyMomShops back in January. Can't believe it! Thanks to everyone for reading the blog!

Do You Want Sprinkles With That?

I just learned about a fun new website for kids' party invitations. It's called Sprinkles Invitations and it has some unique, fresh designs using both flat and die-cut invitations. The party invitations- like the popular Noah's Ark design shown here ($2.50 each) are made from two pieces of cardstock, and swivels open to reveal the bottom sheet with party details. And here's a great touch- there's a magnet on the back of each invitation so you can post the it on any metal surface (like your fridge). No more hunting down that invitation you thought was on your desk! Visit Sprinkles Invitations for more inspiration for your next kids' party.

MyMomShops readers receive a 10% discount on all orders placed by October 15th. Enter code "mymomshops" at checkout.

Etsy Halloween: Part One

Etsy.com- my favorite site for all things handmade- is postively bursting with Halloween-themed and colored goodies right now. First I'll share with you these gorgeous knitted items (oh how I wish I could make things like this myself). By the way, if you need an item in a different size, contact the seller; they'll often accommodate you.

Jack-O-Lantern Alligator Clip Barrettes ($4.99/pair)


Halloween Silly Pumpkin ($4):


6-12 mos Pumpkin & Gold Baby Earflap Beanie ($16)
Like what you see? Stay tuned for more Halloween treats from Etsy.com.

Doubly Yours

Since birthstone jewelry and monogram jewelry are two of my favorite things, I fell for this new monogrammable birthstone pendant from the latest Red Envelope catalog. The silver pendant on an adjustable chain is etched with your initial and then encircled with a ring of birthstones. Depending on the gemstones, it costs between $95 and $165. What a fun, "twice personalized" gift. Available at RedEnvelope.com.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Zutano Shopping Spree

I've always loved the comfy cotton and fresh prints of Zutano clothing for my kids. This Vermont-based company is famous for its colorful, natural fiber kids' garments, yet it can be tough to find them online (especially for sizes beyond infant). Good news! Zutano has just launched its own e-boutique featuring a selection of its best seasonal fashions for boys and girls up to size 4. The Fall/Winter 2007 line is now available and Zutano has generously offered onelucky MyMomShops reader a $125 shopping spree! Take a look at some of my favorites, and then scroll down to enter the contest.

Wonderland Twirling Dress ($44):


Color Block Sweater ($42):


Fitted Orange Snow Bloom Crew ($22):


Crinkle Cord Smooth Operator Jacket ($50):


Like what you see? Enter now to win a $125 shopping spree at Zutano's new e-boutique, featuring clothing from sizes 12 months through 4T. Here are the contest rules:

1) To enter, please make a comment- any comment- on THIS post (click on "comments" below).
2) This contest is open ONLY to MyMomShops newsletter subscribers. If you're not subscribed yet, please include your e-mail address in your comment OR e-mail me separately with "newsletter" in the subject line.
3) Post your comment by 11:59pm EST on Thursday, September 27th. One entry per person, please. US addresses only.
4) One winner will be chosen at random and announced here on Friday morning.
5) NOTE: You must check back on Friday to see if you won, and to e-mail me your name and address to claim your prize. Unclaimed prizes are forfeited within 48 hours.

Good luck!

Candy Clutches

I have a major sweet tooth so candy-related accessories like these Everything/Anything Handmade Recycled Candy Wrapper Handbags always interest me. I found them at one of my favorite funky gift sites, Unica Home. Each bag is one-of-a-kind (you can pick one of 12 available colors but you may not get the exact bag pictured), and with each purchase a tree is planted (really!). Sweet deal. Each bag measures approximately 8"w x 2"d x 4"h and costs $28 at Unica Home. Get ready for the compliments (but not the calories) to start pouring in.

Hanna Andersson Fall Sale

I've had my eye on this colors & khaki baby sweater at Hanna Andersson for Baby S. for awhile, and just snagged it today at their Fall Sale (funny since it's still 82 degrees here in Manhattan today). It's made of combed cotton and I absolutely love the blue, orange, and brown together. It's on sale for $30.40 (reduced from $48) at Hanna Andersson.

p.s. I won't be posting this weekend, but be sure to check back Monday morning for a BIG shopping spree giveaway! You won't want to miss it!

Princess Katie & Racer Steve

Attention NYC area readers! I received a lovely e-mail from the "Princess Katie & Racer Steve" show for kids. Like me, Princess Katie was inspired by the real-life Princess Diana and her charitable work, especially with children. So Princess Katie and her partner "Racer Steve" began performing live music shows for kids in hospitals. Their audience has grown and they have even received Parenting Magazine’s Pick For Best Music CD (Songs For The Coolest Kids). One of their biggest gigs yet- a "surprise party" for Katie will be held on Saturday, September 29th at 11am at the Helen Mills Theater in Manhttan (139 West 26th St.) MyMomShops readers will receive $2 off each regular-priced $15 ticket by using this link to order tickets. Treat yourself and your child!

Don't Nod Off

Every now and then I like to browse around The Land of Nod. They have such fun and inspiring decor, accessories, and toys. Here are some things I'm loving at the moment:

Kid-Sized Tabletop Foosball Table ($49)


Accordian Style Peg Rack ($24)


Mini-Suitcases for Storage ($19.95)


Wheelybug Ride Along ($79)

Pumpkin Robeez

At Barnes & Noble last week, I spotted these adorable Robeez Halloween Pumpkin (especially made for that store). Unfortunately, they're only available in sizes 6-12 months (much too small for my gargantuan 13-month-old), but if you know a smaller munchkin, these would make an adorable gift. $24.99 at Barnes & Noble.

Own Stationery Giveaway Winners

Congratulations to the following 3 winners:

Tfipps, who wrote, "Very cute!"
Andrea, who wrote, "Please count me in."
Judy, who wrote, "Love the OWLS!"

Winners, please e-mail me with your name, address, and how you would like your stationery personalized. Enjoy!

Check back on Monday for a brand new, BIG BIG giveaway!

Ear to Stay

As you may have noticed, I am becoming obsessed with all things Lego, like these funky Sunny Yellow Memories Earrings at Etsy.com. A fun, cheap ($5) impulse buy, these are a sure conversation piece. They're made from recycled Tyco (not Lego, but close) blocks from the late 1980s and rest on handcrafted gold-filled hoops. They even stack so you won't lose them! Browse all the fun earrings at the Etsy storefront of The J Stop.

p.s. Not that you really need a discount here, but the entire stock of this storefront is on sale 20% off through Saturday night!

Via Toy Box

How great-looking are these Via Toy Box Storage Sets? Made in the USA, these non-toxic, wooden storage cubes (each side measuring 15") can be stacked or connected side by side (nuts & bolts provided). You can pick and choose the color of the box (white or natural), the shape of the front (square, circle, triangle, or door), and the color (Natural, White, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Pink, and Lavender) so each set is totally customized and yours alone. A set of 6 cubes costs $329 at Via Toy Box.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Owl Write to You

When I stumbled on this fantastic Nottingham Owl Personalized Stationery ($15) at the Etsy.com storefront of Pearl & Marmalade I knew I had to post about it since it combines 3 of my favorite things: trends (are you seeing owls everywhere these days?), Halloween, and stationery. The kind folks at Pearl Marmalade are offering THREE MyMomShops readers their own set of 8 personalized notes with kraft brown envelopes. Perfect for some good old-fashioned handwritten correspondence this autumn!

Win it! 3 MyMomShops readers will win a set of Nottingham Owl Personalized Stationery. Here are the contest rules:

1) To enter, please make a comment- any comment- on THIS post (click on "comments" below).
2) Post your comment by 12 noon tomorrow, Thursday, September 20th. One entry per person, please. US addresses only.
3) THREE winners will be chosen at random and announced on Thursday afternoon.
4) NOTE: You must check back on Thursday to see if you won, and to e-mail me your name and address to claim your prize. Unclaimed prizes are forfeited within 48 hours.

Good luck!

Branching Out

The number of terrific eco-friendly shopping sites is on the rise and the products just keep getting better and better. I stumbled on Branch: Sustainable Design for Living recently and it is definitely one of my favorite new sites to browse. Check it out and I think you'll be hooked, too. Here are some of my top picks:

Large Bambu Bowls ($48):


Vintage Magazine Notecards ($9):


Wool Felt Winepocket ($29):


Pure & Natural Organic Animals ($16):
It is a design-lover's paradise at Branch, and you can feel good about anything you purchase there, too. Visit Branch.

Ahoy, Matey!

My 4-year-old and 1-year-old are both having a grand time playing with this Playtown Pirate Ship and Pirates Set. This is a fun, sturdy, well-crafted toy (there are nice wooden accents) that features a working anchor, cannonball launcher, working wheel, extending planks, moving telescope, and a multi-ethnic pirate and "first mate" who are sized "chunky" for little hands. I can attest that this toy encourages open-ended play very well (though also difficulty sharing between my kids..) and even includes a free musical board book. Available for $24.89 at Amazon.com.

p.s. It is 4:24 am and I have been up since 1:15am with a miserable Baby S. who is cutting his molars. Whoever said infant Motrin works for teething must've been lying.

Great Compliment

Just spotted this adorable I Look Like My Mom Tee on sale at Babystyle.com. 100% cotton cap-sleeve tee in infant sizes up to 12-18 months, previously $20, now on sale for just $7.99 at Babystyle.com.

Hug Me

I fell in love with this Hug-me Sweater by Oeuf NYC when I saw it in Nantucket at my favorite kids' store Pinwheels. The mitten-shaped pockets are too too cute. The soft, 100% baby alpaca sweater is available in sizes 1-2 years ($88) or 3-4 years ($92) in brown, pink, orange or turquoise at Oeuf NYC.

Gina Alexander

I don't say this about many products, but the photo handbag I received from Gina Alexander is turning heads. Everyone- and I mean everyone- is asking me where I got this gorgeous bag. A favorite with the celeb crowd, Gina Alexander bags are a far cry from the shabby photo tote you ordered for Grandma last Mother's Day. These high-end handbags are made entirely from scratch. Everything from the leather handles and bottoms to the inner lining and sturdy zippered pockets- are made by skilled sewers. This bag is quite frankly higher quality than my other handbags AND it features a gorgeous, vivid, high-resolution photo of R. and S. to boot. Doesn't get better than that. These gems will cost you a bit (a classic tote costs $200), but when it comes to combining fashion and your adorable kids, why skimp? Browse around all the great handbag choices at Gina Alexander.

I Love Liapela

I stumbled onto a great site with lots of modern, eco-friendly kids' products, and once I was there I kept finding one great item after the next. The site is called Liapela and here are some of the goodies I unearthed:

Not your run-of-the-mill plastic tambourine, this one is designed in France ($15):

Neoprene "Hungry Tote" by Built NY ($20) is machine washable and holds all of your kid's drinks & snacks (boy do I need something like this for our car trips):

I'm sure you've seen Uglydoll stuffed animals already; now, your baby can enjoy these funky faces clipped to his/her stroller with this Toodee Clip-On by Uglydoll ($6):

Like what you see? Browse some more at Liapela.

They Do Build Them Like They Used To

My budding-architect 4-year-old may turn out like her geeky mom, who as a little girl spent hours on end assembling "compounds" of buildings with her Lincoln Logs. For those of you who also loved your Lincoln Logs, here is a great Collector's Edition Set which includes 113 logs, 30 green roof slats, six red roof supports and two red chimneys, in a keepsake wood storage box (most other Lincoln Log sets I've seen are much skimpier than this one). The set is produced in a limited edition of 5000 units and costs $100 at FAO Schwarz. Go ahead and see who has more fun- you or your kid.

Barrette Cuteness

Perhaps because my four-year-old daughter steadfastly refuses to wear anything in her wild, curly hair, I am besotted with cute barrettes even more. Like these charming 100% wool felt barrettes from Shop Maya Papaya. Love the cute flowers with button centers, and the tiny watermelon barrette, too. The designer can also turn any of these designs into ponytail holders. Each barrette costs about $6 at Shop Maya Papaya.

Postcards with Purpose

This is just about one of the most clever new ideas I've seen at the stationery sites recently: eco-friendly wooden postcards ($5.50 each) at Night Owl Paper Goods. If you're a cardstock junkie like me, can you just imagine holding one of these? The postcards are a product of sustainable-yield forest management, using very little power and no water to create each piece. The wood grain varies by card so each one is like a little work of art. They are 4" x 6" and mail for the postcard rate of 26 cents. Check them out at Night Owl Paper Goods.

Don't Look Elsewares

I love personalized pendants and think this Custom Silver Necklace from Elsewares.com is a lovely one to try out. The sterling silver pendants are hand-stamped and come with a 16" extendable sterling chain. $62 at Elsewares.com.

Old Navy Funnies

You can always count on Old Navy for cute and cheap graphic tees and bodysuits. I'm thinking of getting this I Don't Miss a Beat T-shirt ($9.50) for my ever-observant, all-knowing four-year-old.

And for babies, check out this necktie graphic bodysuit and glammed-up with pearls black bodysuit, each $7.50 in sizes up to 18 months.


p.s. Looks like these are all on sale today (reduced fron prices listed above). Even better!

Style Kid

There's a one-day sale today at Style Kid, a boutique which carries clothing by Paul Frank, Appaman, and other trendy designers. I quickly spotted this terrific Giraffe Sweater Dress ($40) by Appaman. I'm sure there's tons of other great stuff too (like this- a superhero trunk set for boys). Prices are in Canadian dollars but they take U.S. orders as well. Enter code "HAPPY1" for 20% off your entire order through 11:59pm tonight ONLY.

Mirror Squared

When you live in New York City, you quickly learn that mirrors make any room in your apartment look bigger. So I'm digging this Eagan Multi-Panel Mirror I spotted in my Pottery Barn catalog. It makes a stylish statement, and "opens up" any room, too, with its 25 beveled mirrors inlaid within a metal grid. It measures 44 x 55" (can be hung vertically or horizontally) and costs $699 at Pottery Barn.

September 11th, 2007

No shopping posts today- they'll resume tomorrow. Today I just wanted to encourage you to watch- if you haven't already- HBO's new documentary Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq. I watched it on my DVR last night and it was very powerful. I highly recommend it, whatever your political views may be.

Petit Baby Giveaway Winners

Congratulations to the following 2 winners of $25 gift certificates to Petit Baby:

"Alexsmom" who wrote, "Cutest cow ever!"

"Grandma Ellen" who wrote, "What a terrific giveaway!"

Winners, please e-mail me ASAP with your name and mailing address to claim your prize.

The Secret is Out

Sorry that I've exposed how fantastic Naartjie is (judging from the comments on my last post about this South African brand, seems it is a closely-guarded secret), but I just have to post another great find from their fall collection- this Flowerworks Print Corduroy Dress. It's 100% cotton corduroy, available in sizes 3-10, and, oh my, I just saw that it is on sale through September 13th only for $20 (reduced from its regular price of $26.95). And, of course, it's my favorite color combo for girls- pink and brown. Snap it up at Naartjie.com.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Petit Baby

What better way to start the week than with a giveaway? This one's for two $25 gift certificates at Petit Baby, a charming family-owned site that sells the highest-quality European toys for babies and toddlers. With all that's going on with toy recalls these days, I'm always happy to discover another site for these lovely European toys, aren't you? Petit Baby carries popular brands like Haba, Vilac, Kaloo, and Sigikid. Here are some finds from Petit Baby:

Kaloo 123 Activity Playmat ($85):

Noukie's Lola the Cow Rolling Toy ($26):

Haba First Blocks Set ($25.50):


Win it! 2 MyMomShops readers will each win a $25 gift certificate to Petit Baby. Here are the contest rules:

1) To enter, please make a comment- any comment- on THIS post (click on "comments" below).
2) Post your comment by midnight tonight, Monday, September 10th. One entry per person, please. US addresses only.
3) TWO winners will be chosen at random and announced on Tuesday morning.
4) NOTE: You must check back on Tuesday to see if you won, and to e-mail me your name and address to claim your prize. Unclaimed prizes are forfeited within 48 hours.

Good luck!

Kinda Kashmere

Julep is another clothing line I discovered in Nantucket at my favorite store Pinwheels. They makes these insanely soft, yummy pieces called Kashwere- the fabric is like cashmere, only less expensive (and machine washable, too). I bought Baby S. this sweet Hydrangea and Charcoal Striped Hoody; it is also available at online boutique Tutti Bella for $64.95 (sizes 6-12 mos, 2-3, or 4-5). Click here for other color combos.

p.s. My kids had their joint birthday party today, and their totally adorable birthday outfits by Lilliputians NYC got soooo many compliments! If your little ones have birthdays coming up, be sure to check these out!

ENK Roundup: Part One

I have several more finds to tell you about from the ENK Children's Show at the Javits Center this past July. In no particular order, here are some things you should definitely check out:

Super-soft, 100% cotton kids' pajamas ($29) by Canadian company Hatley. Hatley's slogan is "clothes to nature." Cute. My kids wear Hatley PJs and they are fantastic. Love 'em.



Fantastic, brand-new Re-Run Messenger bag ($75) by Fleurville. It's more compact than Fleurville's popular MotherShip bag, and made entirely from recycled plastic bottle fabric. Each bag they make keeps ten 600ml plastic water bottles out of landfill. Impresive, and the silkscreening is so pretty, too!


Happy Baby Bags by Rock Candy Music ($20). Adorable and affordable gift set which contains cuddly, plush hand puppet, full-length CD with gentle, instrumental tunes (ranging from Elvis to Motown to classical). Great shower or new baby gift.


New for Fall '07 "Love" Robeez ($27.95)- you already know great Robeez look and feel on your little one's feet!


More to come!

Pride & Joy

It's been an exciting week for 13-month-old Baby S. He got his first haircut. He pulled to stand in his crib. He learned how to sit up from lying down. Most exciting, five days ago he started crawling.

This is a huge deal because as I've mentioned before, he has motor delays. At 8 months he could not roll, sit, or reach for objects. He gets physical therapy 3x a week and he (and his therapist) work very very hard. Still, we didn't expect him to crawl before 18 months. So to say we are floored (no pun intended) by the fact he's crawling at 13 months is an understatement. I know all mothers are thrilled when they see their child crawl or walk for the first time, but when your child is delayed and worked so hard to reach a milestone, the pride is just indescribable. We are elated.

Anyway, all this progress means I have been super busy documenting S's milestones in Baby Time: A Fast, Fun Keepsake Album, the handy-dandy, super-easy baby book I discovered when R. was an infant, but works even better for time-crunched 2nd time moms. Click here to read my past review of this easiest baby book ever. What a joy it is to be filling in page after page! Available for just $11.96 Amazon.com this makes a very affordable shower or new baby gift, too.

Don't Get Me Wrong

I'm not a Walmart supporter by any means, but I have to hand it to them- they have come up with some tres chic, modern design-inspired crib bedding for a fraction of the cost you'd spend elsewhere. Like this Multi-Dot 4-Piece Crib Bedding Set. It's a great contemporary look, perfect for those who don't know if they're having a boy or a girl...and it's 100% cotton (I was surprised by that). Best of all, it costs just $79.97 for the entire set. Walmart, you've impressed me. Go figure.

Eco-friendly Ecojot

I discovered these super-pretty recycled journals by new eco-friendly designer Ecojot at the National Stationery Show last May and have been waiting for their e-commerce site to go live since then to post about them. But it looks like there's a delay, so I'll just share it now. The paper products- including journals, sketchbooks, and notebooks- are 100% recycled, made sweatshop-free in Canada, and use biodegradable vegetable-based dyes and inks. The nature-inspired designs are pure eye candy. And if you're list-crazy like I am, you can never have too many cool-looking journals, right? Take a sneak peek at Ecojot.com.

Stuff It

I've mentioned before that my diaper bag is always pitifully stuffed with Ziplocs containing various items. It would be sooo much more chic of me to use something like these ORE Originals Diaper Bag Organizer Poucheswhich I found at Amazon.com (I am really impressed with their baby outlet deals these days, by the way). These four 100% cotton pouches manage clean clothes, dirty clothes, goodies to eat and those extras that seem to fall to the bottom of the bag. Each bag has a mesh vack for ventilation and easy visiblity. Fabulous, affordable shower gift! $19.99 at Amazon.com

Sew Darn Cute

I found this gem of an indie craft site called Sew Darn Cute, which is sadly closing up shop; the good news is you get free shipping on any remaining inventory like these creamy cone bags ($45)- are they beyond cute, or what? These twill handbags feature an ice-cream applique and confetti-like fabric lining. There's a zippered interior pocket and two sturdy woven cotton straps. Hurry before they're gone! Visit Sew Darn Cute.

What I'm Really Buying

Lots of people have asked me whether I buy all of the things I write about here. Definitely not! (Wish I could, though). I would need a lot more money, not to mention a lot more space. But here are some things I have in fact bought recently online:

Personalized "Peek a Boo" Diaper bag by ORE ($40):

Brother/sister Halloween outfits by Mulberribush (boys' outfit $38, girls' dress $32):

Of course, that was just one day's worth of shopping. Shhhh.

Maggie in the Middle giveaway winners

Congratulations to these 3 MyMomShops readers who have won a Maggie in the Middle T-shirt of their choice:

Lara, who wrote, "I love the dumptruck!"
Sparklykatt, who wrote, "Another great giveaway- thanks!"
Lisa Lou, who wrote, "Oooh, ooh, me, me!"

Winners, please e-mail me ASAP with your name, mailing address, and choice of 1)size 2)color 3) applique and 4)short sleeve or long sleeve to claim your prize!

You're So Fresh

At the ENK Show I saw these fantastic new baby products by Dutch designer Xplorys. They're called "Freshwear" and they're packaged to look like baby food (either a carton of milk, or jars of pureed fruits or vegetables). Inside the "milk cartons" are these adorable cow-printed onesies; inside the baby food jars are delightful bibs printed with fruits & veggies. I always love clever packaging; I'm even more impressed when the contents delight, too. The Dutch really know their design, even for the littlest consumers. Can't wait to see Freshwear hit U.S. stores.

Patent Perfected

In my opinion, you can never have enough tote bags, and patent leather is stylish whether you're 3 or 33. These Palazzo Patent Totes from Crate and Barrel are great-looking and such good value, too. They're available in either black or ivory with a surprise splash of red nylon on the inside. $34.95 at Crate & Barrel.

Planet Happy Toys

I just learned about a wonderful toy site, Planet Happy Toys, where every item for sale falls into at least one of these categories: all natural, organic, fairly traded, green (environmental awareness), responsible (labor), and multi-use. I love this parking garage by Plan Toys. Equipped with 3 floors of parking space, an elevator tower, a helipad, a car, and even a Biodiesel filling station, this garage is sure to please your little transport enthusiast. It can easily accommodate other metal, die-cast, or plastic vehicles, too. And parents can rest easy knowing this toy was crafted using preservative-free, sustainably harvested, recycled rubberwood, and all paints have been tested for safety. $59.95 at Planet Happy Toys.

MyMomShops Giveaway: Maggie in the Middle

I met mompreneur Lauren Caserta at the ENK Show where she was exhibiting the very cute applique shirts from her new shop Maggie in the Middle. This Massachusetts artisan/mom, who already has a successful business making custom handbags, has a winning new collection of children's wear. The Ts are sure to add flair and fun to any child’s closet. Charming appliques are hand-sewn onto high-quality 100% cotton American Apparel tees. For girls, designs include flowers, apples, butterflies, mermaids, and (my favorite) sundaes; for boys, take your pick of crabs, dump trucks, lizard, dinosaurs or (my top pick) spaceships. Sizes run from 3-6 months all the way up to 12 years. Short sleeve Ts cost $34; long sleeve Ts cost $36. The site just launched, so Lauren is taking telephone orders by phone and e-mail only, but she has also offered us 3 shirts for a giveaway (see below)! Visit Maggie in the Middle to see which design you'd choose if you won!

Win it! 3 MyMomShops readers will each win a Maggie in the Middle t-shirt of their choice (you choose the color, size, short or long sleeve, and fabric applique). Here are the contest rules:

1) To enter, please make a comment- any comment- on THIS post (click on "comments" below).
2) Post your comment by 12 noon tomorrow, Wednesday, September 5th. One entry per person, please. US addresses only.
3) THREE winners will be chosen at random and announced on Wednesday afternoon.
4) NOTE: You must check back on Wednesday to see if you won, and to e-mail me your name, address, and shirt choice to claim your prize. Unclaimed prizes are forfeited within 48 hours.

Good luck!

Bubble Wrap

OK, I think I have finally sorted through all the great things I saw at Bubble New York, this past July's show of modern kids' clothing and design. I wish I could write more about each of these, but hopefully this will suffice as an introduction (note that some of the websites are not yet set up for e-commerce, but keep checking back):

First, I had a lovely time chatting with Christine, the Texan mom/designer behind Baby Bean. A mom of two girls, Christine designs hip, one-of-a-kind "girly" clothing out of gorgeous 100% vintage fabrics (she also is the co-editor of a terrific online magazine you may enjoy).

Next, I just loved the "Oots!" baby feeding gear. Oots's signature bib with sleeves is made of terrycloth and is decorated with a printed or embroidered design. Love the funky melamine "2 dishes and a cup" dinnerware sets, too.

Moving on to decor, perhaps you have seen these "mini-poufs" by Zid Zid Kids starting to appear at modern kids' stores. Truly unique soft seating for kids' bedrooms or playrooms.

Back to clothing...I was intrigued by Fable & Lore, a designer that makes delightful kids' clothing with a special surprise: each piece also changes color when exposed to sunlight (for example, they showed me how the embroidery on a beautiful white sundress turned to purple in the sunlight...my daughter R. would love that!) And each item of clothing also comes with a small printed story- an extra charming touch.

And, lastly, I enjoyed the fun, silk-screen designs and soft, organic fabrics of of eight3one, a Seattle-based shop owned by parents. Super comfy and easy-to-wear.


p.s. We'll be away for the holiday weekend, so I will be posting again on Tuesday. LOTS of exciting giveaways coming up in September here at MyMomShops!